Kangaroos arrive at Santa Barbara Zoo
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Santa Barbara Zoo welcomed kangaroos to their new exhibit on Thursday.
Three male Western grey kangaroos are the newest additions to the Santa Barbara Zoo family.
“We’re happy to share that all the animals are now cohabitating in the exhibit, and getting acclimated with each other and their new surroundings,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, the Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Care & Health. “So far the animals all seem to be adjusting really well, and we’re really looking forward to introducing these unique and iconic animals to our guests very soon!”
They will be a part of the new Australian Walkabout exhibit that is set to officially open on January 8, 2022.
The new exhibit will transport guests "down under" where they walk among wallabies, kangaroos, emus and see native Australian birds and plants.
The 15,000 square-foot exhibit will put guests right in the middle of the action, exploring open pathways, beautiful landscape, and seeing some of the most iconic and unique wildlife representatives from the continent of Australia.
The kangaroos are all brothers named Max, Aspen and Coolibah. Max was born in 2020 and came from the San Diego Zoo, Aspen was born in August 2019 and Coolibah was born in August 2020, both came from the LA Zoo.
Western grey kangaroos are in the family of marsupials called Macropodidae, or “big foot”, a family of 50 species that includes kangaroos and wallabies, among others. As one of the largest macropods, the adult males weigh around 120 pounds, and the females weigh in at around 60 pounds.
Kangaroos are social and usually live in groups known as 'mobs'. They have powerful, large rear legs which supports the familiar leaping motion, it is also aided by their long tail, which acts as a balance.
These herbivores usually eat grasses, herbs, leaves, tree bark and shrubs. They also have a high tolerance to certain plant toxins.
Max is sponsored by Jess & Aaron Goldberg, Coolibah is generously sponsored by Charlotte & Ken Richardson and Aspen is generously sponsored by Alaia.
